Blushing, I brush hair behind my ear. “I don’t think it’s me. Trust me, Kaiden is his own person.”
He just smiles. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Emery. I don’t believe in coincidences, and it sounds like he changed when you came here.”
Waving it off, I try thinking of a reply that dismisses his assumption. “Maybe he just got tired of pretending to be someone he’s not. I hear that happens when you’re graduating.”
He hums out a reply, seemingly not believing me. “Speaking of, what are your plans for next year?”
My brows go up. “Oh, uh…” I make a face, toying with the partially opened door. “I haven’t really thought about it honestly.”
“Have you considered taking a few college credited classes? I’m offering one for English and I know a few other teachers are too. It could help you get some General Education credits out of the way.”
Licking my lips, I debate on what to tell him. That I’m not sure I’ll go to college? That I have no clue what I want to do? I would have to explain why I don’t plan things, and it’s not something I like diving into. He may be my favorite teacher, the one person who has been on my side since I started, but that doesn’t mean I want to tell him that my future is tomorrow, not next year. Not five years from now.
“I’ll think about it,” I settle on, giving him the same smile I give everyone when I want them to believe me.
Mr. Nichols seems appeased, because he can’t read my expression like Kaiden. He would know I’m full of it, maybe even thinking the worst.
I wave Nichols goodbye and walk back into the gym. Kaiden glances at me from the sidelines, his hair a sweaty mess as he downs some water from his plastic bottle. Even from a distance, I notice the narrow slits of his eyes as they go from the door to my face. I just wave and settle back into my seat, ignoring the pain in my back and the ache in my joints.
Stretching out my legs, I watch as their practice nears its end and the boys head to the locker room. Sliding my backpack over my shoulder, I move off the bleachers and wait for Kaiden by the double doors.
Jefferson walks over to me. “Normally don’t like people sitting in on these,” he says gruffly, sliding his clipboard under his arm and crossing them on his chest. “Distracts the boys. Haven’t seen Monroe play so fiercely before though, especially not in practice.”
My eyes widen as he studies me. “Your father married his mother, right?”
I swallow. “Yes, sir.”
“I see them at almost every game,” he comments. “They’re both proud, especially his mother. She’s always cheering the loudest in the stands. I suspect you’ll be joining them from now on?”
“Uh…yes?”
I’m sure Kaiden won’t let me stay home, so the choice isn’t really mine. When he told me I should come to his practice, I tried telling him I had homework to do. Our argument lasted ten minutes before he distracted me with neck and shoulder kisses that led to way more touching than talking.
And here I am.
Reddening just thinking about it, I shift my backpack strap higher on my shoulder. “I know Cam is looking forward to the season starting, even though it’ll be hard for her knowing it’s the last one she’ll see. I hear kids saying it’ll be the best one yet.”
He grins, grabbing his clipboard. “You keep coming, kid, and we’ll wind up on top for sure.”
When my whole face heats up, he chuckles and walks away. Thankfully, Kaiden comes out soon after, freshly showered and back in his jeans and Henley. As we walk to his car, I glance at him and play with my backpack.
Popping my lips, I ask, “Do people think something is going on with us?”
His brow quirks. “Why?”
My lips part, then promptly close.
We get to the car but neither of us gets in. He stares at me from over the top. “Did someone say something to you?”
“Not exactly…”
“Was it Nichols?”
“What?”
His jaw ticks. “I saw you two talking outside the gym earlier. Did he say something to you?”
Is he…？ I giggle. “Are you jealous? Of Mr. Nichols?”
He looks irritated. “Don’t be stupid.”
I laugh. “You so are.” I shake my head and get in the car, setting my bag down and wait for him to join me. “Your coach just made a comment about coming to the games so you keep playing the way you did today.”
His shoulders loosen. “Is that all?”
Rolling my eyes, I shrug. “It was just how he said it. It’s like he assumed you played better because I was there. I don’t know, it seemed weird. He knows I’m your stepsister.”
“So what did Nichols want?”
“Oh my God, Kaiden. Really?”
He turns on the car and blasts the heat before pulling out of his spot. “The guy just rubs me the wrong way. He’s always talking to you.”
“Jealous,” I singsong. “For your information, he was asking what I planned on doing next year. He thinks I should take college courses here for credit.”
“You should,” he agrees simply.
“We’ll see.”
“Stop acting like you won’t be able to.”
“Stop acting like you can predict the future,” I fire back, staring out the window. “It isn’t like I think it’s a bad idea, I just don’t want to commit yet.”
“What do you want to commit to?”
The question takes me by surprise. Why would he even ask me something like that? I want to commit to getting through junior year. It’s all I can think about.
I know that’s not what he means though.
“Are we friends, Kaiden?” My voice is unsure, a tone I’m used to hearing. It just wasn’t when it came to defining us.
The car slows to a stop. “Do you really need to ask that, Mouse?”
My lips part. “Well…” No? “Yeah, I guess. You said you don’t do labels. It’s not like I expect anything. It would just be nice to know that we’re friends, because…”
You’re the only one I have.
“Yeah,” he says softly. “We’re friends.”
I smile and ease into my seat. “Not to get mushy or whatever, but you’re kind of my best friend. Annabel and I talk at school sometimes, but we’ve never exchanged numbers or planned to hangout.”
“So I’m your best friend by default,” he muses, seemingly unfazed.
I reach out and grab his free hand, which rests on the gearshift. “I’ve always considered Lo my best friend. Even all this time because she was willing to love me for who I am.”
He squeezes my hand. “Are you going to make me say it?”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t have to tell me. It’s in the way you accept me despite my problems. Even if you’re annoying about hot English teachers.”
He curses. “You think he’s hot?”
I just grin.
He sighs. “For what it’s worth, you’re my best friend too, Mouse.”
I smile to myself victoriously.
“Still don’t like Nichols though,” he grumbles, before holding my hand in silence all the way home.